A quick-thinking dispatch and a forward-thinking local program brought a lost child home today, highlighting the value of community precautionary measures. An incident in the north side of our town brought into sharp relief the life-saving potential of the local police department's TAKE ME HOME Program. A 4-year-old non-verbal child was found wandering alone, setting off a chain of events that would test the town's resources and resolve.
Reacting promptly to the crisis, WEST COMM Dispatcher Deborah Stephens tapped into the TAKE ME HOME database, which revealed that a family in the area had registered a similar child. With officers, including Cpl. Brandon Tibbit and Officer Haley Buck, on the route, converged on the child's home, confirming a match and reuniting the panicked family with their young one. "Outstanding work today," Chief Cook heralded, as per the White Settlement Police Department, referencing the third such successful instance since the initiative's inception, according to a statement from the White Settlement Police Department's Facebook page.
The altruistic program kickstarted on September 30, 2022, specifically designed to assist individuals with Autism, other developmental disabilities, and conditions like Alzheimer's. Functioning as a searchable database, police officers can swiftly identify and assist those who are unable to identify themselves. In cases of emergencies, having immediate access to critical information such as emergency contacts paves the way for expedited reunions.
Available at no cost to the residents, the Take Me Home Project emphasizes community well-being and proactivity. Enrollment is touted as fast and straightforward. After completion of the applications at the police station, participants have their photos taken and their details uploaded to a specialized database. This database is accessible to all officers, enhancing their ability to resolve similar situations efficiently.
